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Ken Larson (guest)
Biotech Sales , GA:

The President has had his "Teachable moment" and it is mute. The outcome of the Beer Summit might suggest that future confrontations between Police officers and non-white people, screaming that they are being mistreated as part of a historical pattern of abuse, can now change. If we knew the dialog, it might teach that the behavior of the Police Officers (who best no longer follow the training and regulations of their department) should reflect the lessons learned from the Beer Summit dialog. Conversely the non-white citizen or immigrant should now know how to reach non confrontational dialog with the Police. But there is only one lesson that can be learned from the event, a mime speaks louder, and the President is more interested in his image than real substance.

Mark Jetmir (guest)
student , CA:

Obama, realisticlly, has to contend with private money as well as public sentiment. That 'think-tanks' weigh in (as in this forum) with their soundbits stoking fear for or against reform -- can't help the process of change. It struck a nerve to hear these politically grounded 'think-tanks' pitching agenda's veiled behind objectivity, as if they had any concern for anything different than fattening their bottomline. Admittedly, I don't belong to such 'fear-yak-shops'
ergo I just want a "public option" (rates based on Medicare rates) there, and if a private company can't compete (since you conservatives are always singing THAT dogma), then that company shouldn't be handling the care of real people, simple. Now that Obama has arrived and took a step, after God knows how long since any overhaul -- now enters the 'think-tanks' and deep pockets decring 'socialism.' It is a comlicated issue, yet judging from these posts, most of you posture as if your experts, and that Obama somehow derranged. As an adult college student, I can say with certainty that anyone that states with any degree of confidents, that they know what 'plan/bill' will work or not, is full of it. Obama is doing just fine -- he just has to keep working, for the people. That said; how do you people sleep at night?

John Goodman (guest)
writer , ME:

You have to congratulate him for trying. Some of us were there the last time around, and it wasn’t pretty. So it’s hard to see him making some of the same mistakes the Clinton people (I was one of them) made, despite his efforts to avoid them. And, since 1993-94, there are new potholes that have opened up.
The first pothole is the overarching push to provide universal coverage, something next to impossible without a single-payer system. The second is the failure to properly address issues of cost and cost savings. Cost, value and rationing were the issues least discussed in ’93-94, and they are only now getting to the table. The third pothole is leadership, which the Clintons didn’t provide, and from which Mr. Obama has so far demurred.
He blew a big chance at his July 22 press conference by failing to step up and tell the public: a) that this was his health care reform effort, not Congress’s to play games with; b) that he would not accept anything less than full cost accountability on the principles of reform he has outlined; c) that his party has failed him by providing a messy, superfluous bill full of window dressing that fails to address the real issues.
Mr. Barack is ever the cool customer, Mr. RationalCool, the one who looks askance at the mud wrestlers. Some of us want to see him taking sides for a change, kicking some Republican ass and laying out the steps needed to get the health care system to change. Stop tinkering with the plumbing. Some of us also want to see him stop handing the substantive decisions over to the Speaker of the House.
More at http://goodman.typepad.com/choicewords/2009/07/thoughts-on-health-care-and-mr-obama.html

Donald Cichanski (guest)
Hockey Coach , IL:

The question of whether President Obama is losing the battle for public opinion has less to do with the President himself than the people attempting to craft this mammoth legislation.
While the President still enjoys a positive approval rating, the rest of government in general, and Congress in particular, have not gained appreciably in public sentiment.
To many, members of government are incapable of running anything except a relection campaign. The thought of having Congress making your healthcare decisions is tantamount to hiring an arsonist as the Fire Chief and wondering why the city is burning down.
I'm sure a large percentage of the population would be much more confident in the President if a group of healthcare professionals were walking point on his agenda instead of a group of professional politicians.
The lack of credibility in the Congress of the United States is more of a problem for the President on this issue than he realizes.

Eric Uslaner (guest)
Professor of Government and Politics University of Maryland , MD:

I won't repeat what others have said but I agree that: (1) it is easier to tear down than to enact legislation--this is what the Congressional process is all about; (2) almost no one understands what is fully going on in this complicated set of issues and the web of negotiations (involving Republicans in the Senate but not in the House); (3) it is really easy to scare people on such a complicated issue, especially when a considerable majority of people have health care that they like; (4) budgetary issues--how much it will cost and how to pay for it--are so complex that opposition seems like the safe fallback position; and (5) the President could have been far more eloquent in pressing for health care reform in his press conference and in other public events.
That said, the President will likely get a bill. House and Senate Democrats have too much invested in this to let it fail. The President won't get what he wants. It is likely that he will get virtually no Republican support for the final compromise and Senate Democrats might have to lure Teddy Kennedy into the chamber to provide the 60th vote (as well as leaning hard on moderates such as Evan Bayh, Blanche Lincoln, and Ben Nelson)--but the scene won't be as dramatic as when Clair Engle was wheeled in on his sickbed to pass the Civil Rights Act of 1964.
If the Democrats don't pass health care, they will have a big political price to pay in 2010. They all remember the price they paid in 1994--the loss of the House majority that had persisted with just two interruptions since 1930. Constituents (even in Blue Dog districts) will see the failure to enact health care legislation as a sign that the Democratic majority can't govern. So the Blue Dogs (and others) will all be better off with a compromise bill that is no one's first choice than with no bill at all.

Cay Lane (guest)
Accountant , CO:

One of the main reasons that support is slipping for the current health care reform proposal is very simple. The average American may not know or understand every aspect of the current proposals, but one item is abundantly clear and is entirely unacceptable.....By exempting themselves specifically from having to participate in any of the plans under discussion, Congress and the President lose all credibility. You cannot sell the idea to the American public that we are in a desperate situation and that everyone needs to sacrifice in one way or another to help solve the situation, and then exclude yourself from any sacrifice. In other words, no American would go into a new car dealership and buy a new expensive car that the dealer refused to test drive with him, much less own himself. Add to that the dealer drives a top of the line, every safety feature imaginable, upgraded every year auto that the American himself paid for, and there would be no sale. End of story.
Also, there is a growing feeling that in the rush to do something, anything, just to claim we have done something will result in our nation doing something as foolish as running into the kitchen and throwing water onto a grease fire. We would have done something indeed-but is it the right something?

Lee (MMBJack) McCarty (guest)
Research Energy and Gaming , NV:

David Biespiel and Dean Baker stand out in my mind as always as close or right on target and today they earn in my perspective the "best that can be said" about what is happening - because I am not ready to just give up on President Obama. The "Public" is the main concern and the pivot point of what happens, and the Gallup Poll cited here shows very accurately that people in general - which means in a majority who are vulnerable but are hanging in there with some kind of Insurance protection right now, and don't want to "rock my boat", who remain skeptical as they have for nearly 90 years of proposed health care reform that moves partially at least but still always towards The Single Payer Health Care System the rest of the developed world has long since adopted as best for their nation and people as a whole. But in America the "what's in it for me" is a strong urge to dominate their reasoning about "what can I do to lift the most disadvantaged out of sheer misery and danger without actually compromising unduly my own insurance" - and whether they realize it or not what they have is always compromised because it is on the wrong side of the issue, the greed before humanity, the worship of the idea of succeeding in America by supporting the class of people who protect the rich as their sole actual priority - always have the edge. And now Harry and Louise are back in full regalia though a bit older I must say, but with the same winks and view from the lofty side of success still evident and dangerous for all Americans.

Tom Roe (guest)
Disribution , TN:

Losing? He's lost the early rounds but his legs are still fresh and he hasn't tasted the canvas (yet) Having been suprised by the Buster Douglas-like performance of the GOP The President and his corner are likely to change tactics. Veteran cutman Lanny Davis probably has it right when he calls for a focused strategy of combinations to the head setting up the President's famous knock out right uppercut. Still, arenas are packed with people anticipating another easy victory for The Champ but secretly hoping for a miracle from the stumble-bum underdog. I know I was cheering for Buster Douglas that day and I'll bet the other 6 people who bothered to watch were as well. We're working off the hotdogs and beer just popping up and down with the punches. Now that's healthcare reform.

Anthony Noel (guest)
business columnist , NC:

There’s an old saying: When you can’t dazzle ‘em with facts, confuse them with bullsh*t. That’s exactly what Conservatives are doing with health care, and today’s question is perfectly loaded for their Luntz-ism spewing, talking-point recitations. To wit, James Carafano: “…most Americans …disagree with the president that getting it done fast is more important than getting it done right.” Apart from the President's never having said any such thing, Jim, I’m just curious. Teddy Roosevelt first posited the notion of government-sponsored health care over 100 years ago. If that’s “too fast” for you righties, what do you consider too SLOW?? And James Gimpel: “...people don't want to pay more for something that will likely be lower quality than what they currently have.” I think, Mr. Gimpel, that you meant to say what YOU currently have. I’m sure you’re somewhat more protected than the rest of us, being a tenured educator and all, but there REALLY ARE people in America who lose their jobs, cannot afford to continue their healthcare coverage (COBRA truly is a snake, professor), and go bankrupt. Pretending it doesn’t happen doesn’t change the fact that it does – and is doing so in ever-increasing numbers. And then, of course, Brad Blakeman, “…it is not healthcare that requires immediate attention it is the economy.” So Brad, if the aforementioned personal bankruptcies – fully half of which are due to health care costs are not economic issues, they are – what? Defense spending issues? (Aside: Much of the other half of those bankruptcies are due to the gutting of regulations on issuers of credit cards, at your party’s behest). Finally, to Patrick Dorinson, a more general point: The Cowboy/Philosopher/Humorist thing works beautifully for Baxter Black. For you… not so much!

Lee Olyer (guest)
Engineer , CO:

Everything I needed to know about health care "reform" was answered when Congress voted to opt themselves out of the same plan they are foisting on the rest of the population. If Pelosi, Ried and Obama need an experiment they can buy an Erector Set or sign themselves and their families up for the same coverage they feel is adequate for everyone else.

Doug Shelledy (guest)
Professional , TX:

There are two reasons that I see:
First, as the President said to the AARP yesterday: "He inherited a $1.3 trillion bill and we can't expect him to pay it in 6 months". (paraphrased) It isn't that the average voter wanted him to pay the bill in 6 months it is that they did not want him to double or triple it in 6 months. And that is what the leadership of this country is doing. Obama was voted in because voters were tired of the excessive spending and ever increasing deficit/debt under Bush. In 6 months Obama and the Democratic congress have shown Bush to be a "bushleaguer" when it comes to spending money that doesn't exist.
Second, more and more people I talk to have a simple question that it seems no one in the media or political circles is asking: Our federal govt is going bankrupt and the two largest programs that are driving this are Social Security and Medicaid. So what keeps this 3rd major social program from becoming a financial albatross on our nation's future budgets?

Steve Mattern (guest)
blue collar , OK:

I am amazed at some of the responses by some in this elite, group contributors, none of which appear to be lower income people like myself, yet they seem to have all the answers for me. I guess, given your education and stature in life, you must know more than us working stiffs, and lord knows we are not nearly smart enough to understand things like deficits, ill conceived programs, or simply bad legislation, at least according to Drew Westen who says -
"When Americans are suddenly worried more about deficits than health care after years of Bush deficits that left them yawning, and when they are again associating deficits with Democrats, something has gone terribly wrong with the White House messaging strategy."
No Drew, we are worried more that this proposed health plan will actually cost us more if it is passed than what we are already spending for health care now. What good is health care if I can't put food on the table, or clothes on my kid?
And it appears to me that the Bush deficits are a yawner compared to what we have acquired in the past six months and surely so if we take on this latest debt.
Drew is a psychologist, maybe he can tell the proper term for throwing out Bush's name every time a better argument can't be made, it must be some sort of defense mechanism.

Phil Orisek (guest)
Physician , CA:

He is losing ground because he is dishonest and it is coming through. People are realizing that he has no idea what is in these bills, nor does he care. It is all about seizing power and the "people" do not like or want it. I have yet to meet a single person of even a left political persuasion that supports this nightmare legislation when they educate themselves objectively on what it says.
Obama lies: we don't want a single payer system, we will not ration care, you can keep your current plan and doctor ( yeah for a short time only), etc, etc.
It is amazing to me how many pundits here are crying foul that republicans are scaring people and misrepresenting the legislation. I have to assume they, like the liberals in congress, did not and will not read the bill.

Donald Johnson (guest)
Blogger, businessword.com , CO:

The Kennedy-Waxman health deform (sic)bills are dead, ObamaCare, whatever it turns out to be, probably is not. He'll get something passed in the next two or three years, but he wont Canadianize American health markets. Karl Rove nails it in today's WSJ: You can't reduce access to care and the quality of care for more than 280 Americans who have some kind of insurance to help the 2%, or 6 to 8 million CITZENS and legal residents who never can afford to buy catastrophic coverage and aren't eligible for existing programs.
Why is ObamaCare in trouble now? You can't sell garbage with a lousy pitchman like Obama. He has no credibility on economics, energy, global warming or health because he's Clintonized his speeches to the point where everyone sees the clever parsing coming before his teleprompter does. Americans know that when one political party gains to much power, power corrupts. They've seen it in their state legislatures and major cities all their lives, and they saw it when Bush and the GOP controlled Congress. Now they see the Dems gleefully creating false crises and trying to exploit them at the expense of the privately insured and Medicare beneficiaries.
Obama got his hard left Barney Franks and Teddy Kennedys convinced he could Rahm their near single-payer plan through Congress. Now they see the Blue Dogs standing in their way, and they're saying the 80-member Congressional Progresssive Congress will block anything the Blue Dogs will support. And the Blue Dogs are split, too.
Kennedy and Waxman have spent the last 35 to 45 years blocking real reform, waiting for the day when an Obama would come along and Canadianize health care. And they're willing to block real reform if they can't get their perfect plan through now.
Bob Dole didn't sell Viagra. Viagra sold itself despite Dole. Obama's no Michael Jordan, and ObamaCare's no Viagra. Health stocks have been rallying for several days anticipating a watered down health deform bill. http://www.intrade.com/ traders are giving ObamaCare a 35% chance of passing by Jan. 1., down from 46% last week. The adults are taking over from the gullibles.

John Caccavale (guest)
Exec Dir, National Alliance of Professional Psychology Providers , CA:

I don't think so. Debating public policy is like a tennis match -- a lot of back and forth until someone is declared the winner. Right now there is too much "back and forth" but the debate will start to earn focus as specific issues are resolved and everyone has concrete issues to debate. Obama will need the Democrats to help him on this. Much of the last month has focused on the disarray within the Democratic ranks. This appearance hurts Obama. As Democratic forces line up behind a clear plan, public opinion will shift back in his favor. It's like looking a the movement of the daily stock charts as opposed to the clearer picture over the long term. Lots of spikes with few smooth lines.

Kenneth Wills (guest)
Maintenance/Student , TX:

The reason the Dems are losing the message battle is because they did the same thing they always do: Fail to respond to the drum beat coming out of the conservative camp. I.E., they let the conservatives define the argument. For a liberal, it's extremely frustrating because it's just stupid not to fight back.

Zachary Taylor (guest)
electrical production , OH:

The simple reason is that all avenues of 'reform' are not being discussed. Why hasn't tort reform been included in this debate? How many unneeded procedures are being preformed daily so that a doctor isn't sued? I can speak from personal experiences that the added cost for treatment is astronomical.
Add to that the "we have to get it done now' message, and the American people see themselves being strong armed into an unknown. Plus, most of us don't give a damn about polls, we just want common sense approaches used in this debate.

Karl Knapstein (guest)
Service Tech , CO:

Congress and the President are doing exactly what the framers invisioned when they wrote our Constitution. The new and profound variable of our modern media has thrown a sharp cleaver into the fray and our brawling leaders lose focus when they seek control of the airwaves instead of seeking the common sense advice of our American People. This debate is working as it should with no clear winners or losers, just a solid compromise that benefits the Nation with a healthy future for our children and that allows our creative and productive workers to follow their bliss instead of their medical plans.

Phil Gonzalez (guest)
retired , TX:

After every crisis, people like to see light at the end of the tunnel. With President Obama there is no light, but a crisis state of mind. Up to now, President Obama hasn't had a good track record in what works and what doesn't. The stimulus is a perfect example of fast track passage where it would have been better to read the bill and take a slower approach in economic recovery. In the stimulus bill, the CEO of businesses and banks were the enemies. President Obama has found new enemies with the government health care bill in which the doctors and the health care groups are the enemies because they are profit driven. It's President Obama's attitude toward this country which is being looked at because of the stimulus and the government health care bill. President Obama is proving it isn't just rhetoric to please the anti American's here and abroad when he condemns our way of life. It's important to remember the stimulus and the government health care bill are just the beginning. The media even reported the recession was over because of businesses and Wall Street making a come back.

Forces outside of President Obama saw it was necessary to move on and claim the end of the recession. With the claims of the end of the recession comes another revelation. President Obama has to now assume responsibility for his economy and administration. The days of blaming Bush are over and so are his excuses for his failed policies. The days of can you imagine where we would be if we had done nothing are over. The people who voted for President Obama are saying we didn't vote for this and are experiencing buyers remorse. President Obama may not like our way of life which includes free market capitalism, but it's America. President Obama may think the CEO of businesses and banks, with the doctors and the health care groups are our enemies because they are profit driven, but the people are seeing it in another way. In order for there to be economic recovery there must be profit. There is no government health care reform, only punishment for profit and condemnation of our way of life.

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